Stasys Milasius has been teaching folk dancing for over 40 years. He received his accreditation in
one of the first such programs in Chicago. He worked with the Lithuanian Saturday school
curriculum in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Waukegan, Illinois. From 1963 until 1985 he taught the
student group "BIJUNAS", and from 1980 to the fall of 1997 he taught the veteran group "KLUMPE".
A job transfer moved Stasys and Giedre to San Diego, California, where they established a new dance
group "JURA". Beginning with the II Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, Stasys and the groups he
was teaching have participated in all of the festivals.
Stasys has undertaken to acquaint the general public with Lithuania and its culture and traditions
while working with the International Institute of Wisconsin. He has served various roles: Ethnic
group chair; festival vice-chair; and festival general chair on the occasion of its 50th
anniversary. In 1995, he coordinated programs and travel for the children's folk dance ensemble
"LINELIS" from Panevezys, Lithuania when the group participated at the international conference
CHILDREN - OUR FUTURE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Even after his move to San Diego, Stasys remained
a member of the Holiday Folk Fair production committee until 2002 and continued to attend
the festivals. In San Diego, Stasys joined the House of Pacific Relations, which represents 35
nationalities. Since 2001, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for the International
Cottages of the House of Pacific Relations.
Stasys is a member of the Lithuanian Folk Dance Institute (also served on the audit committee) and
the San Diego Dance Alliance.
In her marriage vows to Stasys, Giedre had to pledge her love to Stasys as well as to Lithuanian
folk dancing. She joined the ranks of the dancers of "KLUMPE", and participated in numerous
Lithuanian folk dance teachers workshops. She has filled the role of administrator and has
diligently looked after the details of the groups' performances.